Soy wax GB 464 and Frosting after sitting for a period of time

[aromatopiacandles]

I have a question related to GB 464 and frosting.  I have been using GB 464 for years.  After heating wax to 185, adding dye, FO, and letting cool until about 125 - 130 degrees, I pour the wax into glass jars that have been heated.  They turn out beautifully with smooth tops and no frosting.  However, I have noticed in candles that have sat at room temperature for a period of 3 months or so, frosting is occurring, sometimes significantly.  Usually, I make my candles as they are ordered, so I had not noticed a problem before. 

 

Would anyone know #1 do soy candles have a short shelf life; #2 do they need to be stored in a particular temperature? (My candles are stored at 78 - 80 degrees in low humidity); #3 do you sell your candles once frosting occurs; and #4 does anyone use any type of additive to the GB 464 that keeps frosting at bay?  Thanks for any help that can be provided.

[Guest OldGlory]

I have a question related to GB 464 and frosting.  I have been using GB 464 for years.  After heating wax to 185, adding dye, FO, and letting cool until about 125 - 130 degrees, I pour the wax into glass jars that have been heated.  They turn out beautifully with smooth tops and no frosting.  However, I have noticed in candles that have sat at room temperature for a period of 3 months or so, frosting is occurring, sometimes significantly.  Usually, I make my candles as they are ordered, so I had not noticed a problem before. 

 

Would anyone know #1 do soy candles have a short shelf life; #2 do they need to be stored in a particular temperature? (My candles are stored at 78 - 80 degrees in low humidity); #3 do you sell your candles once frosting occurs; and #4 does anyone use any type of additive to the GB 464 that keeps frosting at bay?  Thanks for any help that can be provided.

Hi, welcome to Craft Server!

I have a lot of experience with 464, but in a southern climate - very different than yours.

1. Soy candles don't necessarily have a shorter shelf life (than what?), but they will frost and sometimes the wax will expand and swallow the wick. I know that sounds weird and it is weird. But it happens. I don't know why, but I suspect heat and time play a role. I have burned candles that are 4 or 5 years old and they are still great candles.

2. I don't know for sure but a temperature controlled room can't hurt.

3. Frosting doesn't effect the performance of the candle. Question is, will your customers still buy it? Have you considered not using dyes?

4. There is no additive that I know of that will keep frosting at bay.

Edited:

I also recently tested 415. The candle was beautiful and without frosting for about 2 months, but frosting eventually showed up. I had a tougher time getting a hot throw from 415 than 464, and several other board members say they have to go up to 8 or 9% FO load to get 415 to throw.

Edited July 31, 2015 by OldGlory

[GoldieMN]

Has anyone tried half 415, half 464 just to get a better throw than just 415?

GoldieMN

[GoldieMN]

Well I ordered some 464 (I've been using 415 and having HT problems.) If AH/RE is getting "excellent" or "strong" HT from the scents I've bought, I shouldn't be having this much trouble. They do use a zinc wick, I believe, when testing and 464. I don't add dyes, use Premier wicks (upped now to 780), use 6, 7, then 8.8% FO, and still not as strong as I want. Last batch has 10% FO which will be ready for testing in another week. The only thing I haven't changed in my testing is the wax. So figure it is time.

GoldieMN

[Guest OldGlory]

Keep us posted Goldie!

[Shoegal]

Well I ordered some 464 (I've been using 415 and having HT problems.) If AH/RE is getting "excellent" or "strong" HT from the scents I've bought, I shouldn't be having this much trouble. They do use a zinc wick, I believe, when testing and 464. I don't add dyes, use Premier wicks (upped now to 780), use 6, 7, then 8.8% FO, and still not as strong as I want. Last batch has 10% FO which will be ready for testing in another week. The only thing I haven't changed in my testing is the wax. So figure it is time.

GoldieMN

 

OG, loves the Premiers with 464. I use CDs with my 464, but am going to test the premiere wicks due to OG's positive comments about them. What exact fragrance oil are you testing? Some are just light scents and won't have a super strong throw no matter what you do. Some others (like Macintosh Apple) are super strong and show throw fairly well. Keep in mind that you could also have candle nose and the scents just don't smell as strong for you. I made some tarts using Pink Magnolia Blossom and they cured for like 2 months. I wanted to cry when I put it on the wax melter and couldn't smell a thing 8 hours later. When my hubby came home, he said the scent was so strong that he could literally taste the fragrance. I was shocked. I couldn't smell it, yet it was super strong to him. My mom and sister came over and said the same thing. So candle nose is very, very real. 464 is a really good wax. You may have to move to a different wick series and see if that helps. I have zero experience with zinc wicks in any wax, but 464 performs great for me with ECOs or CDs. My fingers are crossed for the premier wicks. Keep us posted!

[GoldieMN]

OG, loves the Premiers with 464. I use CDs with my 464, but am going to test the premiere wicks due to OG's positive comments about them. What exact fragrance oil are you testing? Some are just light scents and won't have a super strong throw no matter what you do. Some others (like Macintosh Apple) are super strong and show throw fairly well. Keep in mind that you could also have candle nose and the scents just don't smell as strong for you. I made some tarts using Pink Magnolia Blossom and they cured for like 2 months. I wanted to cry when I put it on the wax melter and couldn't smell a thing 8 hours later. When my hubby came home, he said the scent was so strong that he could literally taste the fragrance. I was shocked. I couldn't smell it, yet it was super strong to him. My mom and sister came over and said the same thing. So candle nose is very, very real. 464 is a really good wax. You may have to move to a different wick series and see if that helps. I have zero experience with zinc wicks in any wax, but 464 performs great for me with ECOs or CDs. My fingers are crossed for the premier wicks. Keep us posted!

Yes, my Mac apple has a good strong throw. Almost too much for me, personally; but people seem to like it. I also have a Christmas scent (RE) that is a good hot thrower, and a cinnamon styx (NG). This past week I've been testing Apple/Pumpkin Streudel from Rustic Essentials; I'm very happy with it, but it is 10% fo. These are all from the 415 soy. My 464 candles won't be ready to test until Saturday. For now, I stopped testing 415. I was so hoping to get Cornbread (RE) to throw better. Funny thing about that, I mixed it with 464, will test Saturday, but the cold throw is unbelievably bad! Would switching soys make a different in the fragrance? We'll see how the hot throw is; but if someone opens a jar and smells it, I doubt they will want to buy it.

Thanks for your suggestions, by the way. Yes, I pick OldGlory's mind and a few others on this forum as often as I can. lol

GoldieMN

[Guest OldGlory]

Must be why I have all the holes in my brain (and that causes it to leak information!!)... too much brain picking.

 

Testers are important to candlemakers for that reason - we can't smell as well as people who don't make candles. Also, smokers can't smell well usually either. Testers have to be able to explain their experience to you, so chose carefully and give them written questions to answer. If a tester always says "it smells great" get a different tester. You need better feedback than that.